LAND O' LAKES, Fla. -- It was a long road to get here for retired Army Sergeant First Class David Colucci.
In 2004, Colucci’s convoy was investigating a possible roadside bomb in Iraq when Taliban forces attacked.
Colucci was shot in the abdomen and back, but still managed to drive his vehicle into a protective position until a medical helicopter could land.
He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
But now, the award is something else: a home for David, his wife, and two children.
Building Homes for Heroes gives out about 30 mortgage-free homes across the country each year.
They go to men and women who served after September 11, 2001.
The hope is these homes help veterans on their road to recovery from scars inside and out.
Kim Valdyke, Director of Construction for Building Homes for Heroes, helps make it all happen.
“It’s extremely rewarding for me. My whole family served in the military. And to see our wounded veterans getting safe homes for them to live in and continue to heal from their wounds is just very important to me," said Valdyke.
The house has everything this family needs.
From a pool to a decked out garage.
After years of military life and coping with the trauma that came with it, they are home.
For more information on Building Homes for Heroes go to buildinghomesforheroes.org.
